This course is intended for anyone working in primary care, secondary care or mental health services who wants to work more effectively with refugee patients/clients. Very few refugees emerge from their experiences without having endured or witnessed some form of physical and/or psychological trauma.

The aim of this course is to help you work better with refugee patients during consultations; increase your awareness of settlement challenges; and to guide you on how to respond to the traumatic experiences a patient and their may have endured.

Demonstrate an understanding of the refugee experience and the stressors of resettlement in New Zealand society.

List some presenting health and mental health issues for refugees.

Demonstrate an ability to address sensitive issues with people from refugee backgrounds.

Use strengths-based approaches to interventions with refugee patients/families.

Integrate learning about refugee health care in practice.

On completing this course you will have a better understanding of the ‘refugee experience’ and the long-term physical and psychological impacts on refugees resettled in New Zealand; and have developed new skills on how to use strengths-based interventions in planning care with refugee patients and their families.